Monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy for anorexia nervosa and bulimia: a preliminary trial of isocarboxazid.

In an open prospective clinical study, 14 female outpatients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia completed a 6-week trial of isocarboxazid, with a mean dose of 34 mg. The eight bulimic and six restrictive anorexic subjects did not show any significant differences in medication response. Ratings of depression and anxiety showed significant improvement after the fourth week. Significant improvement in eating behavior, as measured by the number of meals missed per day, was noted. For the bulimic subgroup, bingeing and vomiting showed a nonsignificant reduction, while the urge to binge was significantly reduced. There was no significant weight change in either group during the study, although the restrictive group had gained substantially at 6-month follow-up.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes